Ubiquiti UniFi Network Overview: Build the Most Comprehensive Wi-Fi 7 System Today!

Among popular networking vendors, Ubiquiti has a unique approach, called UniFi, that fits all user demographics, from novice to enterprise-class.

This post will give you an overview of this ecosystem and show you how to buy and build a UniFi-based network, including a Wi-Fi system, for your home or small office.

If you’ve never heard of Ubiquiti before, you didn’t miss much. Coinciding with the official availability of Wi-Fi 7, UniFi has only recently become exceptionally relevant to home and SMB users and, therefore, worthy of your attention.

Ubiquiti UniFi: A single ecosystem for everything

Ubiquiti was founded in 2003 in San Jose (California, USA). Initially, it focused on advanced users via various hardware “controllers” to deliver a flexible approach to networking.

We’ll discuss these “controllers” a bit more below, but nowadays, with Ubiquiti, you start with a UniFi console—often in the form of a UniFi Cloud Gateway (UCG)—which comes in different physical sizes, from palm-size compact to rackmount designs.

No matter the shape, a UniFi console is a “container” device—a computer in more ways than one—powered by Ubiquiti’s Linux-based operating system, UniFi OS. First introduced to the masses in 2019 with the UDM, UniFi OS is a platform on which Ubiquiti has built a suite of proprietary applications for several hardware categories.

All UniFi Cloud Gateways (a.k.a. UniFi consoles) share the same basic features and settings, but their capacities, namely the breadth and depth of applications they can handle, vary depending on the hardware specs.

Main applications in the UniFi Application Suite include:

1. Network (default): This application enables the hardware to function as an advanced router by managing all things network-related, including network settings/features, security, firewall, Wi-Fi, and support for extenders and access points to form a Wi-Fi system.
2. Protect: The support for IP cameras as an advanced surveillance system, including a built-in NVR.
3. Talk: A locally hosted Voice-over-IP system.
4. Access: A “platform designed for Access Control Systems”—per Ubiquiti. Examples are door-related security IoT devices, such as doorbells, keyfobs, locks, etc.
5. Connect: Application that manages digital signage and EV Stations 

Each of these applications is a world in itself, with various in-depth customizations and different types of UniFi devices.

To make use of a UniFi application, you need UniFi hardware of the same category. For example, Network works with the console’s built-in switch and WAN port to create a network. After that, you can add external UniFi access points—some consoles, such as the UDR7, have built-in Wi-Fi access points—or additional switches to extend the system.

This Network application is the main topic of this post, but the same idea applies to other applications.

Like any router, a UniFi Cloud Gateway will work with all standard switches and access points. However, to form a centrally managed system, you need to use UniFi networking hardware with them. Third-party (unmanaged) switches are generally OK—they won’t give a detailed hierarchy in the network map, but don’t affect the system function otherwise. If you want to build a Wi-Fi system, though, UniFi access points are a must-have.

The majority of UniFi consoles can run more than one application at a time. Apart from the Network app, you can turn on the Protect app and add a few UniFi cameras to create a surveillance system similar to the Synology Surveillance Station, or use the Access app with a doorbell, and so on.

These extra apps require lots of storage space to store their data. Consequently, a UniFi console has ample built-in internal storage or ways for users to add storage: a microSD card slot, an M.2 SSD slot, or a standard SATA drive bay.

While many users only use the Network application, the UniFi console is designed to be the “unified” host of multiple UniFi hardware categories. It allows users to manage their entire ecosystem of different hardware categories in a single place—the console itself. And that’s a good thing.

Not long ago, things weren’t always this way in the world of Ubiquiti hardware.

UniFi Cloud Gateway (console) vs. UniFi independent gateway (controller)

As mentioned, Ubiquiti initially didn’t offer the UniFi console. Instead, it made UniFi controllers with a specific function or hardware capacities but without the UniFi OS. As a result, they are fragmented, and users would need multiple hardware pieces to have the same effect as a single UniFi console.

Take the UniFi Gateway Max (UXG-Max), for example. It’s a network controller with a built-in switch, a WAN port, and the routing function that doesn’t run the Unifi OS and, therefore, can’t run any of the applications mentioned above or even work on its own. It doesn’t have built-in storage, either.

So, to use the UXG-Max, you’ll need a UniFi hosting device, such as the CloudKey+. This is a separate hardware box that can run the UniFi Application Suite. It has built-in storage but does not have a built-in switch or routing function.

Essentially, this UXG-Max and Cloud Key+ combo equals the same hardware capability as UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max), which has similar network-related hardware specs as the UXG-Max.

As mentioned, these controllers are made for advanced users. They still exist today to support Uniquiti’s legacy approach, which has its advantages. If you want to build your network with Ubiquiti hardware today, it’s best to ignore them and go with a UniFi Cloud Gateway (a.k.a UniFi console).

We’ll proceed that way, but not before addressing another elephant in the room: AmpliFi. That’s right! UniFi is not the only networking approach Ubiquiti has offered.

Ubiquiti network hardware: UniFi vs. AmpliFi

UniFi and AmpliFi are two networking product lines from Ubiquiti. They have entirely different architectures and initially serve two separate user demographics.

The UniFi family—represented by UniFi Cloud Gateways—was originally geared toward business/pro/enterprise users. Its comprehensive consoles or controllers act as the central host of various products, of which networking is only part of the picture.

On the other hand, the AmpliFi family, represented by the Wi-Fi 5 HD Wi-Fi system, first launched in August 2017, and then the Wi-Fi 6 Alien, is explicitly made for the home environment. These simple mesh-ready app-operated Wi-Fi routers are easy to use but have a limited feature set.

In 2019, the UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) was the first UniFi console that also worked well as a home router thanks to its friendly design and simple setup process. After that, the UDR and subsequent compact UniFi consoles further bridged the gap, making UniFi hardware increasingly applicable to the home.

It seems that Ubiquiti will eventually phase out AmpliFi and focus on UniFi as its only encompassing platform.

Ubiquiti has not made a new AmpliFi product since late 2019, and nowadays, a UniFi Cloud Gateway can be an excellent fit as home or business “routers.” In fact, the compact options, such as the latest UDR7, UCG-Max, or UCG-Fiber, are ideal for any home in terms of design.

So, if you start with Ubiquiti today, UniFi is the sensible way to go.

No matter which UniFi console you get, the hardware can do a lot thanks to the comprehensive Network application. Still, let’s explore which one you should buy.

Ubiquiti UniFi consoles: Quick buying guide

The first thing to consider when buying hardware is its size. The device has to fit physically.

As mentioned, UniFi Cloud Gateways (consoles) come in different shapes and sizes. For a business network, you can choose the full-scale rackmount design. For a home, there are more compact options for desktop placement or wall mounting. That said, cost and capacities aside, pick one that meets your placement and “spouse approval” requirements. These devices can work interchangeably.

In most cases, though, a compact console is more applicable since the rackmount ones are very large and generally don’t have built-in Wi-Fi. Speaking of which, Wi-Fi or no Wi-Fi is the first question.

Which UniFi console to get: Wi-Fi-enabled vs. non-Wi-Fi

Some UniFi Cloud Gateways have built-in access points, similar to Wi-Fi routers. Others don’t—they are non-Wi-Fi routers.

However, all UniFi consoles can host multiple UniFi access point(s) to add Wi-Fi or extend coverage. Once adopted, these add-on APs are part of the system and function as though they were part of the gateway itself.

The point is that using a UniFi Cloud Gateway and UniFi APs combo will give you a robust Wi-Fi mesh system no matter which console you start with. So, should you get one with or without built-in Wi-Fi?

Here’s the answer: If you don’t need Wi-Fi, it’s simple. You only need a non-Wi-Fi gateway. Otherwise, it’s a bit more nuanced. There are two main scenarios:

1. If your home only requires a single Wi-Fi broadcaster to blanket, then:
   • If you can place the “router” at the optimal location for best coverage, then get a single Wi-Fi-integrated console.
   • If your home is wired with network cable, it might be best to get a non-Wi-Fi console plus a separate UniFi access point or the UX7/UX and use it in the access point mode. This way, you can place the access point where it delivers the best coverage.
2. If your home requires more than one broadcaster, then:
   • If you need a fully wireless setup, get a Wi-Fi-integrated console, such as the UDR7 (or UDR), and then the UX7 or UX as a wireless mesh point. I described this combo in detail in the review of the UX7.
   • If your home is wired, get a non-Wi-Fi console and then one or a few UniFi access points to build the Wi-Fi system.

In most cases, it’s best to get your home wired and start with a non-Wi-Fi console. Without built-in Wi-Fi, a UniFi console won’t become obsolete when there’s a significant change on the Wi-Fi front. Speaking of which, if you decide to go with a Wi-Fi-integrated UniFi console today, it’s a good idea to get one with Wi-Fi 7.

Note: UniFi access points can generally operate in the wireless mesh mode. However, considering most of them use PoE as the (only) powering method, it’s pointless not to use the network cable as the wired uplink. That said, the UX7 and the UX are only two UniFi access points you should consider for a fully wireless mesh setup.

Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi system: Tips on hardware combo and broadband access

While a UniFi console gives you lots of in-depth customization, the hardware options to build a Wi-Fi system with it can be less flexible than other brands, such as Asus AiMesh.

With UniFi, you get a primary console (router), namely a UniFi Cloud Gateway, and then add UniFi access points to it to build a Wi-Fi system. Two important things to note:

1. Most UniFi consoles can only work as the primary router for a Wi-Fi system. They can’t work as an access point or a Wi-Fi extender. In other words, you can’t use them as a satellite unit in a Wi-Fi system. For example, if you’re using the UDR and now get the UDR7 as an upgrade, you can’t use the UDR as a satellite unit to extend Wi-Fi coverage. Needless to say, you cannot use multiple units of either to create a system.
2. Even with the few consoles that can work in different roles, namely the UX7 or the UX—either can work as the primary router or a satellite unit of a Wi-Fi system—you can’t change their role after they’ve already been set up. As a result, there’s no way to use an entire UniFi Wi-Fi system in the access point mode.

The takeaway here is that you should use a UniFi system only when you do not need to keep the ISP-supplied gateway unit or an existing router. Otherwise, double NAT is the only outcome.

To be clear, this lack of hardware role flexibility is not necessarily a drawback. To have a truly advanced network, you need a single-NAT setup—the UniFi console must be the sole router of your system. Additionally, wired backhauling is the only way to get the best performance and reliable Wi-Fi coverage.

So, if you’re thinking of going the UniFi way, two things to consider:

1. A must-do: Get only the terminal device, such as a cable modem or a fiber-optic ONT from your Internet provider, not a gateway unit. (Some gateways can be turned into a modem via the bridge mode.)
2. Recommended (especially when you need multiple Wi-Fi broadcasters): Get your home wired with network cables or use the latest MoCA adapters when applicable!

Ubiquiti UniFi Network setup and management: Most comprehensive, yet non-intimidating

No matter which UniFi console you get, you can set it up the way you handle any standard router.

Specifically, from a connected computer, navigate the browser to the default IP address, which is 192.168.1.1. The rest is self-explanatory. You’ll be asked to create an admin account and, if you have a Wi-Fi-integrated unit, a Wi-Fi SSID and password. That’s it! Now your network is ready.

For those more comfortable with the phone, the UniFi mobile app can make the initial setup even faster and the ongoing management even more convenient. Still, I’d recommend the web UI and a large computer screen for the tasks.

It generally won’t take more than ten minutes to get your network up and running with a UniFi console. The point here is that while being the most advanced hardware, all UniFi Cloud Gateways are also not intimidating. Novice users will find any of them simple and straightforward to set up, especially when using the UniFi mobile app, and advanced users can dig in via the web user interface and find all sorts of things that meet their needs.

It’s worth noting that you can manage the UniFi hardware completely independently from Ubiquiti, whether you use the UniFi app or the web user interface, though there’s an option to tie the hardware to a UI login account with some perks in return.

That said, it’s a personal choice whether the Ubiquiti-connected account is worth it. In any case, all UniFi consoles feature remote management via Dynamic DNS, and that is only one of many things they have to offer as a router via the UniFi Network application.

UniFi Network application: Everything you can expect from a router and more

As mentioned, the UniFi Network is the application that turns a UniFi console into a “router.” This app, currently in version 9, has everything you’d look for in an advanced network, possibly more.

Specifically, here are a few examples applicable for homes and SMBs:

• Flexible and in-depth port management, including VLAN, Dual-WAN, WAN/LAN roles, PoE, and much more.
• Advanced VPN servers, including WireGuard, Site-to-Site VPN, Teleport, and more.
• Advanced firewall and threat protection, including content/access-blocking per categories/countries and ad-blocking.
• Excellent monitoring system for connected devices, including web filtering based on different categories applicable to a group or particular device(s). For the home, these are easily the best parental control options.
• In-depth Wi-Fi configuration, including up to 8 SSIDs per Wi-Fi band, captive portal SSIDs, isolation… and the settings for Wi-Fi 7’s MLO and AFC features (when applicable). These settings automatically apply to any added UniFi access points.

Again, that’s only the job of the Network application. As mentioned, a UniFi console can run multiple apps at a time. It simultaneously works as a network video recorder (NVR) for security cameras and the host for IP phones, security doorbells, EV chargers, etc., in addition to being an advanced router.

UniFi Wi-Fi mesh system: The one-click adoption

It’s straightforward to add a UniFi device to a system hosted by a UniFi console. For example, adding an extra UniFi access point to form a Wi-Fi system, which I’ve done many times, is thoroughly painless.

Specifically, once you’ve already had the primary UniFi console running, all you have to do is:

1. Get the UniFi access point ready, namely resetting it to default factory if it’s not new, and:
   • Connect it to the network via a network cable to have a system with wired backhauling. This scenario is applicable to all UniFi consoles and all UniFi access points. Or
   • If you want to build a wireless mesh system, place it a few feet from the UniFi console. This scenario only applies when you use a Wi-Fi-integrated console and either a UX7 or the UX unit as a mesh point, as mentioned in the buying guide above.
2. Plug the UniFi access point into power (if it’s not PoE-powered) and wait for it to boot up.
3. Upon booting up, the UniFi access point will appear within the primary UniFi console’s interface (the UniFi mobile app or the web page) and can be adopted with a single click, just like any UniFi device. Then, after a few minutes, it’ll work as part of the system, sharing the same Wi-Fi SSIDs and password as those of the existing network.

Overall, in my experience, besides the time for hardware placement, you can build a robust UniFi Wi-Fi system with multiple broadcasters in about half an hour.

UniFi Network: Excellent performance

Over the past five years, I’ve used about half a dozen UniFi consoles and many UniFi devices for personal and business purposes, and they all have worked reliably.

My first unit, the UDM, for example, worked almost non-stop from late 2019 until early February 2025 without any issues, despite having a relatively loud internal fan. I only replaced it because the UDR7 is clearly better.

That said, it’s safe to say UniFi hardware is long-lasting. Over the years, Ubiquiti has also shown its intention to improve the thermal design. The U7 and U7 Pro Max, for example, both come with an internal fan, yet still run hot. However, the new U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS come with a metal base dubbed as an effective heatsink, like the case of the E7, and produce little heat.

In terms of performance, the UniFi hardware is generally as fast as it can be for the specs, as shown in the charts. Additionally, UniFi Wi-Fi broadcasters often deliver better coverage than the vendor’s estimations, which can be a pleasant surprise in a world full of fantastical claims.

Finally, these UniFi hardware devices, especially the compact ones made for the home, have an excellent appearance and thoughtful physical designs—and that never hurts.

Conclusion

In the past decade, Ubiquiti has generally been an excellent choice for building a robust Wi-Fi system.

However, it wasn’t until the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 that the company released its first compact and uncompromising UniFi Cloud Gateway with plenty of 10Gbps ports for the home, namely the UCG-Fiber. With it, the ecosystem instantly became one of the best, if not the best, ways to build a Wi-Fi 7 system for the home. It’s now my go-to choice.

That said, get your home wired, and then, depending on your bandwidth needs, pick a UniFi console and maybe a couple of UniFi access points today.

If you make the purchases and set expectations based on reading this article thoroughly, chances are you won’t be disappointed. Need a quick decision? Below are the top five UniFi “routers” to consider for your home or office.